How do I wash my mask by hand?

[mummabear1967]

I have a cloth mask.

I can admit to the fact I haven’t washed it once since I first started wearing it.

I’m assuming I just put it in my bathroom sink and fill it up with warm water, but what solution do I put in to disinfect it?

The CDC website said put bleach in the water, but surely bleach would stain the mask?

I wash mine in the machine occasionally. If washing in the sink you could use washing up liquid or hand soap or a bit of your usual detergent you use in the machine. Its the detergent that kills the virus so doesn't matter what you use. Then rinse in fresh water to wash it all away

I haven't washed ours yet either, I do usually hang them up to air after wearing though.

I think I will just leave them to soak in detergent for a bit, then a bit of a rub and rinse.

I will try and wash it once a week though.

At the end of the day it’s only going to be me wearing it so any germs on it will be from me anyway.

You could say the same about your pants OP, I hope you wash them after 1 wear!

@JumperTime

I will try and wash it once a week though.

At the end of the day it’s only going to be me wearing it so any germs on it will be from me anyway.

You could say the same about your pants OP, I hope you wash them after 1 wear!

Yes, I do change and wash my pants daily lol

I steam mine over a kettle. I have no idea if this is suitable tbh 🤔

Put it in the washing machine why are you asking such a ridiculous question

@Remmy123

Put it in the washing machine why are you asking such a ridiculous question

I didn’t ask about putting it in the washing machine, I asked about washing it by hand and my question is no more ridiculous than some of the other questions asked on this site

You don't need any special disinfectant, just any soap or washing liquid will do. I either put soap, (eg handwash or a bar) and water on mine, lather a bit in my hands and rinse thoroughly under the tap, or I wash in a bowl of water and a bit of delicates/handwash liquid then remove and rinse under tap again.

Technically I think non disposable masks can be worn for four hours before being washed or 'rested'.

I stick mine through the washing machine once a week.

We have lots of reusable cotton ones. Once we've worn them we stick them in the washing basket and they get washed with the rest of our clothes.

I probably only wear one two or three times a week. Since last Saturday I've worn one once as I've only been to one shop.

If I needed to wash one by hand I'd just use some handwash laundry liquid and do it in the sink.

I've 5 reusable masks. I wear a clean one each day, so reuse it during the same day.
They go in the washing machine when it's next on.

You can boil them in a pan for about 10 minutes. Add a bit of salt which is a minor disinfectant if you want. Easiest method. If you take it out from the boiling water and let it drip for a few minutes then put it in the airing cupboard it'll be easily dry by morning.

Warm water, hand soap, lather for 20 secs. Rinse, dry, Quick iron with a blast of steam.

That's all you need to do.

The masks will last longer if hand washed too.

Mine go in the washing machine once a week on a 30 or 40 wash. If I'm at work and it's been on and off all day I chuck it in the washing basket, if it's only been on for a few minutes I'll wear for most of the week.

I make them and I just tell buyers to handwash in handhot soapy water. That's what I do with mine, or put them in a veg/mesh bag and machine wash but that does tend to bend the nose wire out of shape.

@mummabear1967 but there will be other people's germs on the outside...and your own sweat/makeup/breath on the inside. I think a fresh one every day is pretty much essential.

I don't understand not washing something that's going to directly on your face/mouth/nose tbh, it just wouldn't feel clean the same way I wouldn't wear the same pants or even a t-shirt more than once before washing. Although I also don't see any reason to specifically try to disinfect it - there won't be any germs living on it other than my own. A normal handwash with a bit of detergent if you don't want to machine wash (mine are all cotton and just go through a 40 degree machine wash with other laundry).

Machine wash it? It can go in with other stuff

Between machine washes I clean with hot water and hand soap that id use to wash my hands. I wouldn't want to hand wash with any chemicals that might irritate my skin..

Not washing it for a while is grim tbh op, sorry to say it!! I find my masks get really moist where my mouth is if wearing for a while. The thought of not washing it makes me cringe.

Exactly, there may just be your germs on the inside but every time you touch it to put it on or adjust it you are getting everyone else's germs all over your hands. Plus just your own germs/skin oils can't be that great for you if they are left to build up. DS1 got a lovely rash of infected acne from wearing a mask repeatedly! Never gets spots on his jaw and chin usually and he needed antibiotic cream to clear it up.

I iron mine, lots of steam.

Once in a while I wash them all.

But I take 2 a day out with me and I iron all 6 of them each week. They live in my bag when ironed and a plastic bag when worn.

It's easier, for me.